Foreign worker

A foreign worker is a person employed in a country other than their country of citizenship or usual residence. Their legal status and rights depend on the host country’s immigration and labor rules.

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Labor migration: The movement of people across regions or countries for employment. Foreign employment is one outcome of people moving to find or take work.
Temporary foreign worker program: A government scheme admitting noncitizens for employment for a limited period. These programs define a prominent route into foreign employment.
Remittances: Money sent by people working away from home to individuals or institutions elsewhere. Foreign workers often support households in their countries of origin through transfers.
Undocumented immigrant: A noncitizen residing in a country without the required immigration authorization. Undocumented status concerns authorization to reside, not whether someone is employed.
Immigration law: The laws governing entry, residence, and status of noncitizens in a country. It determines whether a foreign worker may enter, stay, and work.
Guest worker program: A labor-migration system that recruits foreign nationals for work while limiting or shaping their stay. It organizes employment around workers’ temporary presence in the host country.
Brain drain: The emigration of skilled or educated people from a country, reducing its available expertise. Recruitment abroad can move scarce skills away from workers’ home countries.
Refugee: A person who has crossed an international border and qualifies for protection from persecution or serious danger. Refugee status is defined by protection needs, though refugees may also work abroad.
Work permit: An official authorization allowing a noncitizen to work in a particular country. Many foreign workers need this authorization to be employed lawfully.
Seasonal worker: A worker employed for recurring periods tied to seasonal demand. Agriculture and tourism often recruit foreign workers for short seasonal peaks.